I Moderate (i_moderate) wrote in we_archive, @ 2006-01-20 22:33:00 |
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Entry tags: | death of the endless, jesse custer |
i_seekgod Arrival (Death)
The sun was just breaking over the horizon when the figure appeared. And it did just appear. Nothing dramatic. No falling from the sky. No confusion. As if this being, unlike other citizens, knew where it was, and why it was there.
It was out of place, despite the understanding. The clothes it wore, something from the old west when such things were commonplace, were old. Not tattered, but well worn.
The skin, if one could have gotten close enough to see it, was leathery. That of somebody who'd spent life in the sun. Working. A hard skin for a hard being. Tough and impossible to break through. And the eyes spoke of Hell and horrors commited without the bat of an eyelash.
As the sun rose and spilled onto the face of the figure, it could be clearly seen that the tall, imposing body belonged to a man. If there had been any doubt.
He looked at his surroundings for a long while, one hand pushing back his long coat to rest on his belt, inadvertantly revealing one of his twin Walker Colts. Guns made from the sword of the Angel of Death. Guns that had never, and would never, fail him.
A cigar hung from his teeth, unlit for now. He grimiced into the burning sun, as if it would flinch away from the staring contest before he would. And maybe, if it'd had a choice, it would have.
He was here for one man.
One purpose.
But there was The City itself calling to him, taunting him with new things and new faces. And a power there that made his jaw clinch. Something that shouldn't exist because he existed. Something that pissed him off and caused him to bite through his cigar.
He spit out the paper and tobacco and set off in search of that power.
From: [info]i_amjustme Date: 01/20/2006 22:35:57
There was a girl at a fruit stand, looking over the apples. Just a girl. Nothing more, nothing less. An hour ago, she hadn't existed in any sense but the metaphysical. But now, here she was, and as far as anyone knew, she always had been.
She picked up an apple, a large, juicy red one, that all but begged to be eaten. Didi looked around for the stand's owner and spotted a middle-aged black woman. "Hi, Miss Hobbes. Can I buy this apple?" she asked, giving the woman a large and friendly smile.
Miss Hobbes laughed. "You don't need to buy it from me, Didi. Go on and take it. It's just one apple."
Didi grinned. "Thanks, Miss Hobbes. You're one of the good guys." Starting to hum to herself, Didi rubbed the apple on her shirt, and took a bite, heading down the street to get her bearings. She had to find the park, and she had to do it on her own. So it would take a bit longer. At least she had an apple to hold her until then.
From: [info]i_seekgod Date: 01/20/2006 22:40:45
He spied her. The one with the power. She didn't seem to have it now, but it was no matter to him. She had it the rest of the time. Why it wasn't present now wasn't a concern to him.
The Saint of Killers moved behind the girl normally known as Death.
His feet fell silently, despite his size and stature. Despite the spurs on his boots. Despite the guns on his belt. None of his buckles made a sound. None of it had sound, when he didn't want it too.
He was angrier now, seeing her in flesh and blood. He could smell the blood on her. Right under her skin. Begging to be spilled.
He waited for her to stop moving, to get her barings, and stepped up directly behind her.
From: [info]i_amjustme Date: 01/20/2006 22:46:15
Didi could feel someone creeping up behind her. And she didn't like it. Because something inside her was echoing, from the power that she was not currently in possession of, that this man was no longer a man.
She turned, slowly, and looked up at the haggard face. "Hi. Can I help you?"
From: [info]i_seekgod Date: 01/20/2006 22:50:01
"Sure can." His voice was low, like shards of glass stuck in the tender parts of the throat. He spoke through them like it was nothing to him, the pain.
The Saint of Killers eyed the girl in front of him. He knew.
It enraged him.
But blood wouldn't do it for him anymore. Her blood was worthless in his views of this.
"I can't say I'm entirely pleased to see you walkin around here."
From: [info]i_amjustme Date: 01/20/2006 22:54:34
Oh. OH. It had taken a bit longer, but now she remembered. Who he was. What he did. And who he was looking for.
She frowned, and crossed her arms. "Can't say I'm that thrilled with seeing you. Personal vendettas have no place in this line of work, you know."
From: [info]i_seekgod Date: 01/20/2006 22:57:11
"Good thing I aint in your line of work, innit?" His thumb settled in his belt. "I was dubbed Saint of Killers, not Angel of Death, recall? I only took that bullshit job to go slaughter that town. I aint got no stake in it. But that don't mean you should exist."
A nasty smirk crossed his face. "And it aint no personal. I was sent after the Preacher by God. Maybe it's personal for him, but it aint for me. I got a job to do. And I'll do it."
From: [info]i_amjustme Date: 01/20/2006 23:01:38
"It's my job to do. Not yours. You can't 'hire' Death. Not even if you're God. I've seen gods come and go, and taken a few thousands myself. You made it personal by accepting."
She scowled. "And if you think it's a bullshit job, I'll gladly terminate your employment."
From: [info]i_seekgod Date: 01/20/2006 23:05:18
"You have no power over me, little girl. You aint got shit."
His eyes narrowed. She was dragging it on too long. She was irritating.
"I aint Death, little girl. Never said I were. Just because some asshole gave me the Angel's job don't mean I took to it."
From: [info]i_amjustme Date: 01/20/2006 23:10:52
"Whatever." Today was not the day to be arguing with this man. Also not when so much o her personality was adhering too the mortal 18-year old body she was currently inhabiting. It made her comebacks seem a bit more lame.
"I have an appointment to keep," she said, turning away.
From: [info]i_seekgod Date: 01/20/2006 23:13:19
"I'm sure you do." As she turned, he reached out with a lightning fast movement of his hand. Snatched the ankh around her neck. Pulled until he heard the snap and felt it release into his hand.
"Go on, keep it."
The Saint of Killers looked at the necklace he held, only sure of what he'd done as he looked down at it. A smile creeped over his sun worn lips.
In his hand it seemed such a trivial thing.
From: [info]i_amjustme Date: 01/20/2006 23:18:13
She froze, stunned, and one hand moved to the spot at her breast where the ankh had always rested.
Didi turned back towards him, saw the silver shape in his hand, and met his eyes. "That's mine. I'd like it back."
From: [info]i_seekgod Date: 01/20/2006 23:21:10
The Saint of Killers looked up at her through his brow. "I'm sure you would."
He tucked the shiny bit into the inner pocket of his coat. With absolutely no intention of giving it back. Now. Or ever.
His smile had faded away and been replaced with something else. That look in his eye that said he'd slaughter her and never even think twice about it. He was already damned, what did it matter?
There was no rule about innocents now.
But it was so much more satisfying to pat his pocket and turn on his heel. Headed in the direction that the trail of the Preacher pulled from.
From: [info]i_amjustme Date: 01/20/2006 23:31:54
"No! You can't..." She started to chase him, and then stopped, suddenly frightened at the look in his eye. She was mortal today - and mortal she would remain until she got that piece of silver back.
Twenty-four hours. After that, what would happen to Death? Seath herself might know. But now, powerless and without her sigil, Didi couldn't fathom.
She had an appointment, at the park. Didi tried to remember. She was supposed to meet someone. Jesse. And the dog, Kojak.
Her hand went to her pocket, where the tiny metal button Bruce had given her still sat. She took it out and looked at it. And worried. This man wasn't a man. And, judging by that glare in his eyes, he'd kill Bruce without a second thought. And she'd never know if it was coming. Nor could she keep her promise if that happened.
Park. Jesse. Didi started running.